Pope County Justices of the Peace are expected to discuss the upcoming transition at the county treasurer's office during tonight's county budget meeting, a transition that has caused concern for some justices.

Justice Roger Freeman has proposed a resolution seeking to hire Pope County Treasurer-elect Donna Wall into that office beginning on Friday, a move he said will guarantee a smooth transition and the continuation of county financial services. Gail Lutrell, the present county treasurer, did not seek re-election and is retiring Dec. 31.

"The JP's are going to have to make some tough decision after the first of the year," Freeman said in an e-mail sent to The Courier Monday. " We do not have time to go through the budgets with a fine tooth comb now and make the cuts we need ... We JP's need to make sure that the newly elected county treasurer has a good handle on the monies so we can ask her questions to make the correct decisions."

Freeman's resolution comes as Lutrell has asked justices to transfer $2,000 from the office's automation fund to the general fund in order to pay employee overtime this month.

"We will be working long hours the last of December to close out books by the 31st," Lutrell said in a form forwarded to justices. "I need to transfer these funds from treasurer's automation [fund] to general-treasurer to pay my deputies any time they accumulate."

Freeman said instead of paying overtime, Lutrell could have Wall perform the extra work during the transition period. Wall has not said if she will agree to the appointment.

Wall is the first Republican elected to what is commonly known as a "courthouse position," referring to an election official who conducts business at the county courthouse. Freeman is also a Republican; Lutrell is a Democrat.

Also tonight, the Quorum Court is expected to discuss:

-- Establishing a charge for insufficient checks written to the county.

-- Funding $12,000 for fuel and oil, $10,000 for professional services, and $11,500 for "other sundry" at the Pope County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Jay Winters has said the requests are "projected funds to finish out 2004."

-- Long-term disability insurance for county employees.

-- The county's 2005 operating budget.

-- Funding $7,500 for Russellville's recent runoff and special elections. The city is expected to reimburse the county for that expense.